The Fort Dodge Family Credit Union has partnered with the Iowa Association of Business and Industry Foundation (ABIF) to send one of its high-school members, Allix Kirchhoff, to Business Horizons 2012 in Pella. Allix, a sophomore, competed with other high school Fort Dodge Family Credit Union members for the honor. "I'm interested in a career in business," said Allix. "My future plan is to have a career that provides service to people. I hope Business Horizons will help me to realize my goal."

Business Horizons is a prestigious statewide summer high school program with a focus on entrepreneurship and leadership. The 2012 program will be held July 15-19 on Central College’s campus in Pella. In addition to attending Business Horizons and gaining a wealth of knowledge about what it takes to run a successful business, obtaining valuable leadership skills, and gaining an appreciation of the amazing opportunities to succeed in Iowa, Allix, has the opportunity to earn college credit and will graduate from the program with a guaranteed $12,000 scholarship to Central College (should she decide to attend and is accepted to Central). The scholarship is renewable for 4 years!

”Fort Dodge Family Credit Union was thrilled to offer this opportunity to our members,” said manager, Julie Pingel. “These students are our upcoming business owners, managers and workforce and our communities and it’s important that we prepare our youth to lead the state into the future. Allix is an outstanding young woman and we are excited to hear about her experiences at Business Horizons!”

For 28 years Business Horizons has been providing a week long entrepreneurial learning experience for select Iowa high students. Nearly 3000 graduates of the program have gone on to do great things at their schools and businesses.

For information about Business Horizons, and how your credit union can get involved as a sponsor or as volunteers, visit www.businesshorizonsiowa.com. Additional details can also be obtained by contacting Sarah Roth at sroth@iowaabi.org or 515-235-0570.